The Decision-making Process

Thoughts, Ideas and Practice

 Decision-making

 As defined by Baker et al in their 2001

study, “efficient decision-making involves a
series of steps that require the input of
information at different stages of the
process, as well as a process for feedback”.
 Decisions

•Made up of a composite of information,

data, facts and belief.
•Data by itself does not constitute useful
information unless it is analyzed and
processed.
 A Decision
 Is only as good as the data that informed it
 Is only as good as it is an informed one
 Is only as good as the system which exists
to implement
 Is only good if you have the means to
implement it
 Is only good if other people understand it
and what it means
The Ideal Decision-making
Process
STEP 1 STEP 2
Define the problem Determine the
requirements that the
solution to the
problem must meet

STEP 3 STEP 4
Establish goals that Identify alternatives
solving the problem that will solve the
should accomplish problem

STEP 5
STEP 6
Develop valuation
Select a decision-
criteria based on the
making Tool
goals

STEP 7
STEP 8
Apply the tool to
Check the answer
select a
to make sure it
preferred alternative
solves the problem

The Decision-making Process (adapted from Baker et al, 2001)

 The Reality
 Is the Problem really the problem?
Problems are often the symptom and not the
true problem.
 Most often that not steps 5-8 are either
forgotten, avoided or simply ignored.
 Urgency – is there a quick version?
 Who has time to follow-up? Tomorrow is
another problem.